The Hungarian Revolution of 1956

In 1956 Erich Lessing (Austria, b. 1923), then already a two year member of Magnum, photographed the Hungarian revolution in the streets of Budapest, unintentionally producing an important historical document. This year it has been fifty years since the revolt. To mark this occasion the Budapest photo series is scheduled for an international tour, wich launches at the Noorderlicht Photogallery.

Introduction
Budapest 1956. The 1956 Hungarian Revolution, was an anti-Soviet revolt in Hungary lasting from 23 October to 4 November 1956. The revolt was suppressed by Soviet troops, and to a much smaller degree the Hungarian ÁVH (‘State Protection Authority’). Anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 Hungarian rebels and 7,000 Soviet troops were killed, thousands more were wounded, and nearly a quarter of a million left the country as refugees.The beginning of the deStalinisation period in Hungary favoured the development of an opposition movement, particularly among students and intellectuals. Imre NAGY who was called in as Prime Minister had obtained the demand of Soviet troops being withdrawn. He became submerged by the spread of the insurrectional movement in Budapest and the provinces. Abolishing the ‘unique’ party system on the 13th October 1956 he demanded Hungary’s withdrawal of the Warsaw Pact and neutrality. Armed insurrection started in the streets on 24th October until the Soviet troops occupied Budapest, on the 1st November 1956, and crushed the movement.